Iran's Mojtaba Khamenei Urges Taliban and Pakistan to Establish Better Relations
Mojtaba Khamenei, the new leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, called on the Taliban and Pakistan to establish better relations in a Nowruz message issued for the solar year 1405.
"Pakistan was especially beloved by our martyr leader. I wish to emphasize that the two brother countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, must establish better relations with each other—if not for anything else, at least for the sake of God—and I am ready from my side to take the necessary steps in this regard," Khamenei stated. He emphasized his readiness to take necessary actions to improve ties.
Previously, Iranian officials had urged the Taliban and Pakistan to end tensions and resolve disputes through diplomatic means.
The appeal comes amid escalating tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan. Pakistani officials have accused the Taliban of supporting armed groups opposed to Pakistan, particularly Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a claim the Taliban denies.
After three weeks of conflict, the two sides announced a temporary four-day ceasefire on Wednesday ahead of Eid al-Fitr, at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.
The United Nations reported that 76 civilians were killed in the first two weeks of the conflicts in eastern Afghanistan.
In the latest incident, the Pakistani military targeted a medical center in eastern Kabul, which the Taliban said resulted in hundreds killed.
Know more about this story?
If you have additional information or believe something is inaccurate, let us know. Your tips help us stay accurate.
Sources (1)
More in International
UK Audit Office Reports Unknown Whereabouts of Nearly 7,000 Resettled Afghan Refugees
Iran Claims Strike on US F-35 Fighter Jet; US Confirms Damage and Safe Landing
UN's Guterres Urges US, Israel to End War, Calls on Iran to Halt Attacks on Neighbors
Trump calls NATO 'paper tiger' without U.S. over Strait of Hormuz
ReliableUK Audit Office Reports Unknown Whereabouts of Nearly 7,000 Resettled Afghan Refugees
Britain's National Audit Office reports that the whereabouts of nearly 7,000 of 38,000 Afghan refugees resettled over the past five years are unknown, with the program costing taxpayers £5.7 billion through 2033. A Ministry of Defence officer disputed the report's framing, while a government spokesperson acknowledged its depiction of the resettlement's scale and complexity.
ReliableIran Claims Strike on US F-35 Fighter Jet; US Confirms Damage and Safe Landing
Iran claimed to have hit a US F-35 stealth fighter over its territory, while US officials confirmed the jet was damaged by likely Iranian fire and landed safely with the pilot unharmed. The incident highlights questions about the aircraft's capabilities amid at least 16 US losses in the conflict.
UN's Guterres Urges US, Israel to End War, Calls on Iran to Halt Attacks on Neighbors
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the U.S. and Israel to end a war causing civilian hardships and global economic damage during a Brussels meeting, while calling on Iran to cease attacks on neighbors and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The statement follows reports of 3,186 Iranian civilian deaths from U.S. and Israeli strikes.
ReliableTrump calls NATO 'paper tiger' without U.S. over Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump labeled NATO without the U.S. a 'paper tiger' on Truth Social, criticizing allies for not helping reopen the Strait of Hormuz despite complaining about high oil prices. He accused them of cowardice and reiterated calls for greater burden-sharing.